Border Protection Viaduct

ABSTRACT

A viaduct specially configured to secure and protect an international border.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of devices for protecting international borders. More specifically, the present invention provides a specially configured viaduct that integrates a range of functionalities to firmly protect a border and prevent breach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protection of international borders against unauthorized crossing is of utmost importance for all nations and a pillar of international law and order. The matter has gained prominence in recent times with increasing human migration and refugee crises around the globe.

A contiguous physical barrier such as a fence, trench, dike, and wall are the most prevalent and adopted means of protecting borders against unauthorized crossing. However, these measures are not fully effective as they can be breached and are not feasible in rugged, mountainous areas or where the border is marked by a river, which is common. Furthermore, physical barriers are culturally undesirable, costly to build, and have a long construction schedule making them unattractive and politically challenging. In addition, physical barriers have significant impact as they intrude in private property and natural habitat and face legal and environmental challenges.

Other means of border protection include remote sensing, watch towers, aircraft and drone surveillance, and buried cables. However, these methods are not fully effective and do not meet the requirements of border protection authorities as they can be evaded with a number of counter measures.

Therefore, there is a need for a new type of facility that is effective in preventing unauthorized border crossings that will not have unacceptable cost, schedule, constructability issues in difficult trains, and which will not have excessive land requirements and environmental impacts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution for the above stated need with a specially configured viaduct to secure and protect an international border. The apparatus of present invention is similar to conventional viaducts in that it is basically comprised of a plurality of elevated platforms made of structural beams with a roadway on top, supported on columns along its length. However, the present invention incorporates and integrates a number of key improvements that result in a specifically configured apparatus for border protection and security. A key improvement is to use at least one hollow structural beam as the main structural member longitudinally supporting the roadway and assign it the dual functional of serving as secure conduit for routing communication cables, power lines, and utilities to support the border protection operation. In addition to providing access and transportation for border agents on an elevated and commanding roadway along the border, the object of the specialized viaduct of the present invention is to provide a means of mounting and maintain advanced equipment capable of surveilling the entire length of the border with no blind spots, create a secure conduit along the entire length of the border for routing communication cables, power lines, and basic utility services to support border protection, and clearly mark the border with an imposing structure that alerts and visually repels potential intruders.

The specialized viaduct of the present invention is a modular structure comprised of a multitude of elevated platforms made of flat decks atop hollow structural beams spanning consecutive columns, and connected end to end to form a contiguous space inside and a flat surface on top, with each platform and supporting columns constituting a single module. The contiguous space inside serves as a secure conduit for communication cables, electricity lines, and utility pipes, as well as protective housing for sensitive surveillance equipment and hardware along the border. The flat surface on top serves as a roadway for vehicular or rail access by border agents as well as for supporting guard rails, mounting of cameras, lighting, flood lights, loud speakers, remote sensors, radar, and any other specialized equipment.

As in conventional viaducts, the present invention does not construct any structures or physical barriers below the platform other than the supporting columns and periodic on/off access ramps, and is therefore minimally obstructive. It spans over difficult terrain and is highly flexible in its vertical and horizontal alignments. Also, it is rapidly constructible using prefabricated segments that will only require site assembly rather than heavy construction.

The present invention is a specialized security infrastructure that is far more effective than existing means of border protection such as physical barriers and other means noted above. The present invention integrates several proven means of securing a border into a single apparatus. The roadway provides a means for rapid physical access of border authorities between manned stations along the border. The utilities inside the contiguous hollow beam serve the manned stations with water, power, and communication. The viaduct also provides around the clock high-resolution surveillance of not only the border crossing but also a certain distance away that buys time for response and intervention in case of any attempted breach. Modern equipment mounted on the viaduct would be ideally positioned to sense the approach of potential intruders from considerable distance and trigger a series of intervention responses that could include alerting the border agents, illumination with flood lights, zooming of cameras, issuance of warnings on loud speakers, dispatch of drones for monitoring of the intruders should they actually cross the border, and dispatch of border agents from closest manned station who would rapidly reach the location using the elevated platform in order to intervene in any ongoing breach.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new type of facility that provides rapid access and effective security for border by integrating a range of utilities that firmly protect and prevent breach.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved elements and arrangements by apparatus for the purposes described thereof, which is comparable in cost with existing systems, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one module of the present invention showing the major components of the special viaduct.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of one module of the present invention from above showing the access to through the roadway to the interior of the hollow structural beam of the viaduct that also serves as the conduit for utility lines.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one module of the present invention showing the hollow structural beam of the viaduct that also serves as the conduit for utility lines from below.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled modules of the present invention which is a border protection viaduct comprised of a plurality elevated platforms made of hollow structural beams with a roadway on top connected end to end and supported on a plurality of columns, said platforms being capable of providing vehicular access for boarder agents, and securely housing within a plurality of utility lines such as communication cables, electrical power lines, and water, compressed gas, and hydrocarbon pipelines, as well as securing in position a range of electronic surveillance equipment such as cameras, sensors, scanners, radar, and other specialized electronic hardware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one module of the present invention 100 comprised of structural deck 101 strengthened from below by hollow structural beam 102 having guard rails 103 on either side and supported at each distal end by column 111 on foundation 112, collectively comprising an elevated platform 100 disposed to enable physical and vehicular access from one distal end to the other, and securely house a plurality of utility lines 104 that may include communication cables, electrical power lines, and water, compressed gas, and hydrocarbon pipelines below deck 101 inside hollow beam 102, with access to utility lines made possible by removal of access hatch cover 105.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one module of the present invention 100 from above with access hatch cover 105 removed exposing utility lines 104 below deck 101 inside hollow structural beam 102, thus serving as conduit for utility lines 104 In addition to providing structural support for deck 101.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one module of the present invention from below showing hollow beam 102 strengthening deck 101 supported on columns 111, with access hatch cover 105 removed. Structural beam 102 also serves as conduit for utility lines 104.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of modules of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, assembled and connected end to end, and intermittently placed side by side to increase width, constituting a border protection viaduct apparatus 100 disposed to provide access and security for the border, capable of providing border agents with vehicular access 121 with passing and turn-around possibility at preassigned wider width locations, and securely housing a plurality of utility lines 104 that run continuously below deck 101 along the length of a border to provide vital communication and utility services, as well as securing in position a range of electronic surveillance equipment 131 that may include cameras, sensors, scanners, radar, and other specialized equipment. There will also be ON and OFF ramps (not shown) at designated locations to said viaduct.

The main components of the present invention 100, namely deck 101, hollow beam 102, railings 103, access hatch cover 105, and columns 111 may be prefabricated in segments at a factory, using high strength materials such as steel, special plastics, and carbon fiber to minimize weight, and transported to site for rapid assembly on foundation 112, in lieu of heavy onsite construction which is required by present art. During prefabrication, the interior of hollow beam segments 102 may be compartmentalized or fitted with conduit segments that upon assembly onsite form a plurality of contiguous conduits within the hollow beam 102 to accommodate various utility service lines 104.

The only heavy onsite construction requirement for the present invention 100 is for foundations 112, which may be located at maximum economical spacing to minimize their numbers, collectively requiring only a fraction of the heavy construction of a contiguous physical barrier. The minimized heavy construction requirement of the present invention 100 is a significant improvement feature that distinguishes it from present art in terms of cost, schedule, and constructability.

An advantageous feature of the specialized viaduct of the present invention 100 over conventional border protection solutions is that it brings forth the main utility of a viaduct, which is to span over obstacles such as rocks, rivers, wetlands, critical habitat, and other sensitive and difficult terrain features that may be prevalent along a border, to border protection. Building a physical contiguous barrier in such terrain would require special and costly construction technologies and materials that entail significant cost, increase schedule, thus making the design alignment difficult and in many instances infeasible.

Another significant improvement feature of the present invention 100 is its multi-functionality. In addition to serving as a deterrent to potential intruders contemplating unauthorized border crossing, which is the only function of physical barriers, the present invention 100 also provides continuous access to the entire length of a border, furnishes a protected conduit to route vital utility service lines for communication, power, water, gas, and hydrocarbons, and provides secure platform for permanent positioning of surveillance equipment.

The utility conduit functionality of the present invention 100 is a valuable asset that brings about potential for significant added benefits. The viaduct's utility conduits is strategically located between neighboring countries and has special utility spanning the entire country. It would be highly sought after for housing and routing transnational communication lines such as fiber optics cables for various sectors in both the host country as well as the neighboring countries. Such an asset has significant strategic and commercial value for a number of purposes, especially for economic development, and can be used to increase international cooperation and attract private capital. The conduit can also serve as a local and regional connector for various utility service lines extending services to remote locations and spurring development.

The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts and the object of the invention. Beam and column geometries and configurations other that those disclosed may be used to provide access and utility service line connectivity. Communication cables, electrical lines, and utility pipelines may be placed outside the structural beams secured to either the surface roadway railing, or directly to the columns. Also, vehicular access includes all modes of transportation on the elevated platform including rail, magnetic levitation, robots, and other mobile equipment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible. 

1. An apparatus to provide a border with access, surveillance, and protection capabilities, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of elevated platforms linearly positioned end to end, said elevated platforms comprising: a structural deck disposed to support vehicular traffic; at least one dual-function hollow structural beam disposed to strengthen said structural deck from below plus provide a secure conduit for housing communication cables, electrical lines, utility pipelines, and electronic equipment; guard rails on longitudinal sides of said structural deck; supporting columns secured on foundations at opposing distal ends of said structural beams to maintain design vertical and horizontal alignments of said elevated platforms; a plurality of surveillance equipment mounted on said elevated platforms energized by said electrical lines and connected to said communication cables to transmit data; a plurality of openings disposed to provide access to interior of said hollow structural beam.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dual-function hollow structural beam is replaced with a single-function structural beam and a separate conduit is secured to said plurality of elevated platforms for routing of communication cables, electrical lines, utility pipelines.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said separate conduit is replaced with a plurality of conduits secured to said plurality of elevated platforms for routing of communication cables, electrical lines, utility pipelines.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevated platforms are also placed adjacent to one another to increase platform width.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevated platforms are further equipped with ON and OFF ramps for vehicular access. 